Chapter 22, Problem 22.80QP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The possibility of forming optical isomers by square planar complexes has to be outlined.

Concept Introduction:

Co-ordination compounds exhibit structural isomerism and stereoisomerism. Stereoisomerism deals with three dimensional spatial arrangements of atoms or groups of a molecule.  There are two types of stereoisomerism – Geometric isomerism and optical isomerism.

A cis isomer has two same ligands lying adjacent to each other whereas a trans isomer has two same ligands lying opposite to each other.

In optical isomerism the isomer that rotates the plane of the polarized light in clockwise direction is termed as d-isomer and the isomer rotates the plane of the polarized light in anti-clockwise direction is l-isomer.  These isomers are called optical isomers and they are non-superimposable mirror images.